Generation X · 1965–1980 · Reaction gnarly

Gnarly

Challenging, intense or exceptionally cool, especially in surf and skate culture.

IN PLAIN ENGLISHIntense or awesome
THE VIBESarcastic, bold and pop-culture driven
USE IT IN1980s–90s conversation, film and youth culture
USE IT LIKE THIS

That wave was gnarly.

WORD ORIGIN

Associated with 1980s–90s film, television, regional speech, skate culture and surf culture.